Brank

Compare Gaelic brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Irish brancas, halter, or Dutch pranger, fetter.

Full definition of brank

Noun

1. (usually in the plural) A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue
2. (obsolete, UK, Scotland, dialect, usually in the plural) A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.

Verb

1. To put someone in the branks
2. (UK, Scotland, dialect) To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.
3. (Scotland) To prance; to caper.

Probably of Celtic origin; compare Latin brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.

Noun

1. (UK, dialect) buckwheat

Anagrams

• bankr.